Running in Circles

We went to the Arboretum this week- I planned to stay for a couple of hours and get through several activities but we found ourselves in one little garden and we never moved on. The kids have played in here before but we usually move along after a few minutes and before things get too dirty (there's sand and water which is really just a messy combination, right!?)

Hazel and Henry both played in the sand for almost an hour and yes they were filthy but totally engaged in it. 

Then Henry moved over to the water feature and my first thought was that I didn't bring a towel or other clothes so he shouldn't play. But then he ran through that water and his face lit up. I said whatever and watched him soak himself head to toe. He was alive and playing and loved all of it. 

Sure we had to undress and ride home in only a diaper and sure we didn't move on to other fun parts of the Children's Garden but I was content just watching them both play. I realized I probably hurry ourselves through activities just a little too quickly. That was a great morning.

We were so happy to have Grandpa and Grandma Johnson here in Dallas the last few days! They got home from their mission to Hong Kong and Timor Leste just two weeks ago. We enjoyed a day at the Texas Stat Fair, lots of walks, Central Market, and the Arboretum. On Saturday we had lunch at Kylde Warren Park, walked around the Museum of Art, and took the trolley around downtown. We were so happy to see them with the kids and to see Hazel and Henry just adore them. Henry woke up early each morning and snuck right into their bed.

These pictures are only from the Arboretum- but 'tis the season!

We drove down to Texas Hill Country to go camping this weekend. It was a little too far of a drive for just one night of camping, but we all needed some space and fresh air. It was amazing how well behaved the kids were, not bugging each other when they had more space to be in. It's also amazing how fascinating rocks, sticks, and bugs really are. 

We did a few hikes, and one ended at a watering hole. We brought swimsuits and floaties but man the water was just a little too cold. I can imagine how nice it would feel though on a hot, muggy summer day. We saw raccoon, armadillos, deer, vultures, and lots of bugs.

Today is the first cold day here in Dallas and what can I say other than we are all a bunch of wimps.

 Hazel and I both had jackets, tights, and blankets on in the car on the way to church. I haven't taken my socks off all day and the heater is on. My candle is lit and we're making a warm dinner. 

It probably isn't all that bad and we better get ready since we're heading to Utah but I'll be the first to admit I've turned into a cold-weather wimp.

But, hey- he humidity is at a low of 29%.

-always the optimistic-

We are welcoming fall here in Dallas with open arms! 

The weather is cooling down (like a high of only 80*) and there definitely is a crispness in the air. We've been sleeping with the windows open, decorating the apartment with little pumpkins, and talking about Hazels' birthday and possible Halloween costumes. 

The best place in Dallas to get a taste of fall early on is the Arboretum. 

I know I blogged about it last year but it was just as fun today! 

...pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere...

The Good

- Snow days! We've had three snow days int he last two weeks where the city of Dallas sort of shuts down and Brice has to work from home. Hazel loves waking up and seeing the snow outside the window!

- Henry is waking up only once or twice a night, so if I go to bed by 9:30 I get a 6 hour stretch of uninterrupted sleep!

- We're getting away this afternoon for a quick weekend trip with friends to Houston. 

- Running every morning is getting easier and feeling more enjoyable.

- So glad my friend Liz lives so close, it's like Provo days where you can just go next door to your neighbor and chat and borrow butter :)

- Hazel has been so fun lately! She's busy, curious, chatty, and so thoughtful. 

- Henry and Hazel both nap EVERY DAY from 12 to 2 or 3:00 and it is wonderful!

The Bad

- I am so over not having a car. I am having a hard time appreciating being "a stay at home mom" when I literally feel like "a stuck and locked up at home mom." I know its been worse because of the cold, gloomy days but really- Its been almost a year and we've got to figure this out.

- Being stuck running inside most of the week.

- Online shopping or window shopping every afternoon during naps.

...and the Ugly

- My fear of potty training. I just need to buckle up and do it but I keep hoping she'll just wake up one day ready to do it on her own.

- Tuesday afternoon- Hazel, Henry, and I were all crying at the same time.

- Henry and Hazel are sharing a room so when he wakes up at 5:30 for a feeding and she wakes up for the day. It's so hard to start the day that early!

- I've bought and returned two pairs of running shoes- I am in desperate need for new ones and am having a hard time finding the right fit! I don't know what the deal is

thanks for visiting guys! We miss being so close to you!

We had a wonderful Christmas at home, just the three of us! 

We were pretty bummed to "miss-out" on a family Christmas this year, but I was just about full-term and not loving or permitted to travel long distance. The holidays are just so great surrounded by more people and food and activities that you even know what to do with.

 Plus we don't own any puzzles 

#holidayfail

We spent Christmas Eve with friends for a potluck dinner and then had a fun Christmas morning watching Hazel open a few gifts. She finally got excited about opening presents and would ohh and ahh and yell "Surprise." She had a a hard time waiting though while Brice or I opened a gift too!

 Brice has stayed busy making a mess on the balcony-sawdust has been everywhere! He's been busy making himself a standing desk for his office at work. It's turning out great, but I am not a fan of outside and inside spaces being overcome with tools, wood pieces, and sawdust. 

I am definitely nesting, but not all that much more than my normal OCD self...cleaning, hanging pictures and curtains! (finally), organizing, and cleaning our carpets. 

Hazel has loved playing with her new baby doll, reading a dozen new books, helping Brice "make noise" outside ( which translates to using the power drill), Skyping with grandmas & grandpas and helping me cook in the kitchen. 

We feel so blessed and so grateful for the wonderful things that happened in 2014- and we can't wat to see what the new year brings!

HAPPY 2015!!

In the last few weeks...

1. Brice got in a car accident in our Jetta the last week of October. this happened the night before Doug & Lucinda came to visit ( and we were planning on buying their Edge from them as our second car). After a month of dealing with insurances, pay-outs, and repair estimates we sold the car and deposited a little check in the bank. So there goes our plan of having two cars! 

2. Brice is thinking about buying a motorcycle again- its the cheapest option for us to have two vehicles BUT neither one of us feel like its the best option. We're hoping something works out sooner than later.

3. We drove 13 hours over thanksgiving Break to visit The Johnson's' and Hancock's in Washington, Illinois. The drive was long, but Hazel was so good and Brice and I loved the time to just talk and be stuck in the car. We listened to our fair share of podcasts, and Goo Goo Dolls and took turns entertaining Hazel ( whom i might add only needed 45 minutes of screen time the whole drive). 

In the future I think road trips will be off limits in the third trimester.

We had a great trip and Hazel learned just how fun it is to play with cousins!

3. Some wonderful friends took me out to dinner and threw me a baby shower! I feel so grateful for their wonderful friendships and to be treated to a girls night. It is amazing what getting dressed up, going out, and chatting for hours and hours can do for your soul. I came home and stayed up the latest I have this entire pregnancy. 

4. I've slowly bought thing for this new baby here and there- sales at baby gap, amazon gift cards, new white onesies, etc... but just the other night I bought our first box of newborn diapers again! I'm a fan of paying a little bit more for Pampers at the beginning but by size two we have bought the target brand diapers and have loved them.

5. We decorated our little apartment for Christmas this last weekend. In four years of marriage we've never actualyl been home for the holiday ( due to visiting families for the school break). This year we got a real tree and it has made our apartment smell so good! Hazel is loving the nativity sets and wrapping packages that keep coming to our doorstep!

We spent a fun filled morning at the Dallas Arboretum with friends and their mamas on Tuesday. 

The weather has definitely changed and we are welcoming fall into town. I was pretty much over getting my pregnant self in a bathing suit all summer, so fall is welcomed with arms wide open in my book :)

The Arboretum is a beautiful and large outdoor garden (think Thanksgiving Point) just a few miles from our apartment. We were excited to go check out the pumpkin patch and look into getting an annual pass. 

Hazel loved exploring the hundreds and hundreds of pumpkins and chasing her little friends around. That lucky girl also got to go right into a petting zoo and got her face painted like a puppy dog! (I tried hard to steer her away from the face painting because nap time was just around the corner but she was too eager and I loved that she was being so brave, so we went for it!)

We really can't wait to go back again and take some pumpkins home! We are so glad for our fun friends and that they like to get out of the house and do new things so often too!

This last week my parents came to visit us in Dallas before they left for an international vacation! 

Being empty-nesters doesn't sound bad at all ;) 

We spent our days swimming, going on walks, playing at the splashpad, and showing them around our little part of Dallas.

 They even took us to a Texas Rangers game on Friday evening.

 Brice and I aren't huge fans of major league baseball but it sure was fun to be in a stadium and enjoy a little bit of America's favorite pastime. Hazel absolutely LOVED being at the game...jumping around empty seats,eating french fries, dancing and cheering, and clapping for either team any chance she could.

Thanks Mom & Dad for visiting us and treating us to a fun few days! Hazel sure loved showing off for ya!

 There's this tree where i guess they do weekly Storytime for kids and Hazel really loved going up and down all those stairs.